Well after a slow start to the weekend the Wind Gods looked down favorably on us on Sunday, with the wind cranking from 8am in the morning through to 7pm on Sunday night, which allowed the completion to be run and get results in all categories. Given the poor conditions Saturday we managed to run a 2 day event in one day, but this unfortunately meant the repo-charge round had to be abandoned to ensure results were obtained.
While conditions were trying at times with several heats being called off due to 35 knot squalls throughout the day, the level of riding was exceptional as everyone was out there giving it their all trying to impress the judges. The huge crowd certainly weren't disappointed as they were treated to some amazing aerial acrobatics and some equally impressive thrills and spills, even the odd person body dragging their way up the beach (Croc) 
.
It was also exciting to see a number of the Juniors step up this year and take it to the open men in the Opens category, with several of them making it through to the later rounds. This is a great step forward for our juniors, progressing their riding and getting them ready for future State and National Competitions. With the quality of riding displayed by these juniors on the weekend it is evident these kids have a bright kitesurfing future ahead of them. The future of South Australian Kitesurfing is certainly looking good!
In all 44 competitors competed and fought it out over the 6 categories for what has to be one of the most successful and competitive State Titles SA has seen. Every division was tightly fought, with a number of heats resulting in arguments up in the judges box over who won. But at the end of the day all competitors were outstanding and should be commended for coming down competing and making this such an amazing event.
At the end of the day there can only be one State Champ so congratulations goes out to all the winner; Ben Windings, Cat Tanner, Dion Do, Evan Higham, Mark Gregg, Dale Bubnow and Will Smallacombe in their respective divisions, and to all the runners up in putting on such an amazing show. A full list of the results is below:
Open Men:
1st Ben Windings (Slingshot)
2nd Martyn Bone (Naish)
3rd Jordan Grimes (Cabrinha)
Open Women:
1st Cat Tanner (Blade)
2nd Jaquie Hockaday (F-One)
3rd Rachael Anderson (North)
Juniors:
1st Dion Do (Ozone)
2nd Corey Capaldo (Cabrinha)
3rd Kevin Doveton
Masters:
1st Evan Higham (North)
2nd Shaun Crocker (Cabrinha)
3rd Mario Stefano (North)
Grand Masters:
1st Mark Gregg (Blade)
2nd Timothy Jackson
3rd Ian Smith
Amateurs :
1st Dale Bubnow
2nd Tyson Stephens
3rd Marcus Leach
Big Air Winner:
1st Will Smallacombe (Slingshot)
Additionally we would also like to congratulate Olivia White who walked away with a brand new Blade kite courtesy of Danny James at Blade Kites. Olivia, from Whyalla, competed in the Open Womens category and is a new comer to our sport. She hasn't been riding long, wasn't going to compete and doesn't even own a kite, having to steal her boyfriends kite just to go for a ride. Enjoy the kite Olivia and we hope to see you back down competing again next year.
Additionally recognition should also go out to Henry Reay who made the trek all the way from Lincoln. Henry is one of our up and coming junior and gave it his all out there on the water. As a result Henry also walked away with a great little prize, a new Ion Harness courtesy of North Kiteboarding.
A huge thank you must go out to all our amazing sponsors (Blade, Xtreme Kites and Paddle, Onboard, Hype Nautic, Mastercraft, FSR Industries, Kiteboarding South Australia, Cabrinha, North, Naish, Dakine and Nova Vita) who really got behind the event this year for what has to be our best prize table yet. Make sure you get behind these brands who do a fantastic job in supporting us year after year. We really appreciate your support.
The Grange Sailing Club once again have done a stella job in allowing us access to their club rooms, opening the bar and providing a fantastic venue to host and spectate such a great event. The hospitality and corporation we receive from the club is second to none and we appreciate all their assistance. Should people be interested social club memberships for Grange Sailing Club are available for $30 with the bar being open most Monday and Friday nights for social members, and with true 1970's bar prices makes this a great venue for a few quite drinks at the end of a busy work week.
To everyone who helped out over the weekend we owe you a great deal of gratitude for giving up your time to come down and help out. We couldn't run a successful comp without all your assistance. Huge shout outs go to Blake and Timmy in the judging tower, steller effort lads! Chopsie and Jordo on the mic, entertaining as always. Doolz and Toby on the beach, u guys did a great job. Robin Higham on the BBQ, I think everyone appreciates your efforts for keeping us all well fed all weekend! Peter behind the bar did a fantastic job helping out and keeping the drinks flowing. Evan for making all the amazing trophies once again, they always look amazing and to Terry, Gards, Croc, Troy, Rochelle, Jordo, Danny and anyone else who ive forgotten, u guys put in superhuman efforts to makes sure this event was one of our best ever.
SAKSA would also really like to thank all the competitors, and their families and friends for coming down and getting behind this event. Without your support the event wouldn't have been such a great success. It was fantastic to see so many new and old faces down at Grange over the weekend both on the water, on the beach or in the club rooms. It made for a great atmosphere and just goes to show how good our local kiting community is.
Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you all again in 6 months time for the 2012 State Wave Titles or again next year for the 2013 State Freestyle Titles. Until then remember to kite safe and we will see you all on the water soon.
Cheers
Rhys Higham
SAKSA Committee
